ORWIGSBURG – Preseason predictions often times are just that.

Sure, there might be some data or statistical analysis to justify where a team is ranked at the start of the year.

But the reality is, those prognostications don’t mean anything once the pads go on and the games begin.

Just ask Lehighton.

The Indians were picked to finish sixth (last) in both the Division I media and coaches poll at last year’s Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Preseason Media Day, and all they did was go undefeated during the regular season, capture the SFL title and reach the District 11 Class 3A title game.

So, what about an encore?

“As a staff, we’re extremely excited,” said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll. “I think the community is excited, obviously, coming off a great season last year. But the nice thing is, sometimes it’s kind of hard to find ways to top a season like that, but the nice thing is our seniors kinda keep bringing up the fact that we didn’t win a district championship. And so they’ve kinda used that as their motivator, as their goal.

“They also looked at a couple years ago. In 2015, we had a great regular season (reaching the district championship game), and then the following year, kind of fell short (going 4-7) and had a down year. So I think the kids want to make sure that doesn’t happen again. So even if they don’t reach that mark of 12-1, or whatever it may be, their goal, really is to make sure that they are above.500, competing for a division (title), and then possibly a district championship.”

McCarroll will have no shortage of talent to replace, both along the line and at the skill positions.

Gone is all-state quarterback Cody Scherer, the reigning Times News Football Player of the Year, who blossomed into one of the program’s all-time greats as a senior. Chris Whiteman will step in to the starting role this season.

Lehighton turned back Jim Thorpe twice last year, the first time in the regular season finale and again two weeks later in the district semis.

The Olympians are eager to take another step forward this season.

“We’re definitely excited,” said Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “We bring back a lot of players from last year, and we have some new players to throw into the mix. The competition level has been very high all year long with our players, so that’s a bonus.

“We’ve had a very good offseason. The kids did an outstanding job in the weight room, put some nice size on; the speed I think is a little better than it was last year. So we’re just looking forward to the start of the season.”

Like Lehighton, the Olympians will need to replace several key players from a year ago. The middle of the offense – center Lu Boyle, quarterback Nick Rosahac and tailback Justin St. Hill – have all graduated.

Much of the team’s “Red Swarm” defense returns, headed by All-State player Dylan Dailey and standout linebacker Colin Jacobs.

Tamaqua is another squad that has a ton of returning talent.

The Blue Raiders fell to Jim Thorpe in the first round of the district playoffs a year ago, but appear to have the pieces in place to make a deep postseason run this fall.

“It’s probably the most kids coming back on both sides of the ball in the last four to five years that I can remember,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “We have a lot of good (skill) guys … their names have been around for the last two, three years. But this is probably the first year we have a good base with our offensive line and defensive line coming back.

“We have three out of the four coming back on the D-line, and four out of five back on the offensive line. That’s big. This year, we’re pretty solid. We have our starting center coming back, starting guard, both starting tackles – this will be their third year starting.”

A wealth of talent at the skill positions should bode well for the Blue Raiders, with quarterback Brayden Knoblauch, along with running backs Nate Boyle and Nick Breiner leading the way.

Marian battled through injuries — losing starting quarterback Mason Miller in the second game of the season — to reach the district playoffs.

Miller is back, and the Colts are ready to put last season behind them.

“Obviously, we learned last year early on what health means,” said head coach Pat Morgans. “We had key injuries early on, but the next guy’s gotta step up. And I think this year, we have a lot of experience coming back. That was the one advantage of having a young team last year. A lot of these were on the field in the first and second quarters of games … they were in there getting quality time.

“So they know the speed, they know the physicality, they’ve been through the ringer, and I think that’s a big plus for us, I really do. I think that’ll benefit us. I also think we have more depth on the line this year than we did last year, which will help.”

Marian will have to replace an All-Stater in lineman Zach Falls, but the return of Miller should allow for more flexibility for the offense, with Keith McCall returning to his receiver position while tailbacks Seth Paluck and Matt Doherty are sure to see plenty of touches out of the backfield.

Scott Price saw Panther Valley show flashes of potential in his first year at the helm.

The Panthers opened the season 2-0, and played the likes of Jim Thorpe, Lehighton and Marian tough before watching early leads slip away.

Despite finishing 3-7, Panther Valley was in a position to reach the district playoffs had it not stumbled at the end of the season.

There will be some new faces on both sides of the ball, including at quarterback, where junior Ethan Reis takes over after seeing significant playing time in the second half of last season.

That experience, coupled with a solid core of returning players, has Price optimistic heading into the year.

“We bring a lot of starters back,” said Price. “I’m bringing 12-to-13 kids back that have five-plus starts. It’s huge for us. We had a youth movement last year at a lot of positions. I think we’re one of the only Schuylkill League teams that have a starting quarterback back.

“We were back in the weight room in November a week after we lost to Minersville, and he (Reis) hasn’t missed a minute. Literally not a minute. He’s there early, he’s there late, and that’s why as a junior he was voted a captain by his peers.”

So, what’s in a number? How accurate are predictions?

We’ll find out when the season kicks off on Aug. 24.